38 RICKNALL GRANGE FARM JUN / JUL 2021 • farmers-mart . co . uk
well what can happen . Julie has already had two shoulder operations . Problems began in 2016 when she jumped in to save Gordon from two cows who were doing their level best to trample Gordon protecting their calves . This was despite Julie telling Gordon not to go in , which she has not let him forget to this day ! Suffice to say , it was not a good event , but could have been much worse , despite the Great North Air Ambulance needing to be called . Julie was further injured in 2019 when a bullock hit her from behind at Agri Expo . She hasn ’ t been able to show due to her shoulder operations . In 2020 , after her operation , a horse spooked by a pig damaged her injury , which served to test Julie ’ s remarkable resilience .
So , back to the family discussions , which culminated in the conclusion that the best way forward was to buy Ricknall , if possible . The only niggling thought was the timing for Julie and Gordon potentially taking on a large mortgage . Firstly , they needed to approach the Church Commissioners to see if they would sell . Matthew Watson of Savills , York was the Church ’ s agent .
Happily , they agreed a sale was possible , however not all of the farm as the arable land closest to Newton Aycliffe was considered prime development land , so a deal was agreed to include the grassland , house and buildings . Now was the tough part , raising the money for the mortgage and deposit . The business decided to sell a large part of their commercial suckler herd . Tim , along with wife Jess , were keen to invest to help secure the future at Ricknall , both short and long term , so it was decided Tim and Jess would take a mortgage on for the remainder of the money after the sale . Simon Robinson of Swinburne Maddison Solicitors and Azets accountants provided invaluable support during the acquisition process . The mortgage was arranged through the AMC , with Tim Parsons of H & H as the agent .
Even though it was the right thing to do , selling the suckler herd was a real wrench . The sale took place at Hexham on the 21st October 2020 . It was a great success , selling 80 cows and calves , raising more money than they could have hoped for , including a top price for a Heifer and Calf of £ 3600.00 Julie kept 15 cows , mostly ones she had showed , as she could not bear to sell them all . They intend to keep the herd the same size for now . The sheep flock was also reduced
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